The first time I shared this information was at Georgetown’s ITLN conference, it felt so negative that I almost skipped the slide in my presentation. I was so surprised that the response was wall-to-wall aha moments!
I’m sharing it here with the hope that it helps you create a stronger plan for the New Year and beyond!
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I just got back from the ICF Converge conference, and WOW! I had expected to pick up some new ideas, but what I didn’t expect was to come home with a list of lessons that were equal parts insightful and humbling.
Enjoy!
1. You can survive embarrassing yourself. I mean, really embarrassing yourself.
Not the “toilet paper on your shoe” kind – the cringey, make a bad impression in front of people you respect kind.
I went to a session on branding with Lisa Madaschi. Her neuroscience-based take on branding? Fascinating. We just happen to have different views on niche.
I got up to share mine… and then nerves took over. What I meant as a contribution came out sounding cringingly argumentative – maybe even self-promoting.
It was mortifying.
I did follow up with a message to her on LinkedIn, owned it completely, and apologized. She was so gracious about the whole thing.
Here’s what I learned: I can survive embarrassing myself – even in front of people I deeply respect. Even when it feels like my reputation might’ve just taken a hit.
And if making an impact is one of your core values too, you have to survive it. For me, that means forgiving myself quickly and getting back to the work that actually matters.
2. AI is fascinating – and completely distracting.
Let me be clear: I’m not anti-AI. It’s important to stay informed.
But at Converge, it seemed like every other session was about AI.
And while the tech is fascinating, the emphasis was felt way out of proportion to what coaches actually need to grow their businesses. Just like social media, it takes over the conversation – and pulls focus from what’s really important.
AI, like social media, is a tool. It should serve your strategy, not become your strategy. Otherwise, you end up chasing what’s new instead of focusing on what actually helps you reach your goals.
Sustainable growth still comes from strategic clarity, connection, and consistency.
3. A renewed empathy for the awkwardness of networking.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been the “new kid in the cafeteria.” Usually, I walk into events knowing the culture, the players, and at least a dozen people I can wave at from across the room.
But Converge? It was different.
Global scale. Thousands of coaches. And the focus was squarely on the practice of coaching – not the business of it, which is where I tend to live.
For the first two days, I felt like a fish out of water. Then it hit me: this is what my clients feel when I encourage them to attend a networking event or start putting themselves out there.
That experience deepened my empathy. The risk they take isn’t theoretical – it’s real. And the courage it takes to show up in an unfamiliar space deserves to be celebrated every time.
4. When you sponsor an event, have a Plan A… and then about four backups.
I sponsored the coworking space at Converge – great concept, fun design, all the right intentions.
Except… there was no signage pointing people to it.
Combine that with me feeling a bit out of my depth and still cringing from my earlier “branding moment”? Plan A fizzled out fast.
So I created a Plan B (and C… and D). I jumped into morning learning circles, visited sponsor booths, introduced myself to coaching schools, and focused on one thing – connection.
Because of the pivot, I ended up having real conversations, making new contacts, and gaining valuable insights.
The lesson? Sponsorship is a tactic – connection is the strategy.
5. Rephrase instead of repeat.
During her opening keynote, Heather Hansen shared a simple communication tip that instantly stuck:
When you can’t understand someone – especially if they have an accent – instead of asking them to repeat what they said, ask them to rephrase it.
It seems like such a small thing, but it completely changes the energy of the conversation. It removes the awkwardness, helps both people feel understood, and opens the door for genuine connection.
Any tip that helps others feel more understood? It’s a keeper!
Converge, in a Nutshell
The most valuable lessons don’t come from the slides – they come from the awkward moments, the honest conversations, and the magic that happens when you have the courage to keep showing up.
I keep hearing from coaches who felt pushed to choose a niche — only to realize months or even years later that it didn’t fit.
In this video, I share how to sidestep the “niche or perish” trap — and still create focus, clarity, and clients without forcing yourself into a box.
I’ve been talking with a lot of coaches lately, and here’s what I’m noticing: everyone’s creating lower-priced offers to address the soft economy.
Smaller packages, shorter commitments, DIY options – hoping that a lower price point will make it easier for people to say yes.
The problem with that approach is the people who are struggling financially are always going to be a tough sell.
And the people who are ready to invest? Still are.
So here’s the counter-intuitive move: create a high-ticket offer.
Like, now.
In this market, knowing how to create and sell a high-ticket offer isn’t just a good idea – it’s essential.
It might just be the most strategic move you can make to keep your business sustainable and profitable – no matter the economic climate.
I’m going to go create mine now!
Here is the step by step program.
“I just wish I knew it would pay off fast.”
A coach considering one of my programs said this to me recently, and I think I surprised her with my response:
“It might not pay off fast.”
Maybe I broke some kind of bro-marketer code by telling the truth, but over-promising just isn’t my jam.
Here’s why: when you focus on “fast,” you often sacrifice the foundation needed to build a sustainable, long-term business.
And I get it! Quick results can feel like a lifeline in the moment.
They’re usually brought about by a big push – writing, emailing, creating, and promoting at a frenzied pace. And while this burst might bring a surge of opportunities, it’s exhausting. Burnout follows. Then you’re back to scrambling for the next big push.
So let’s break it down.
The Short-Term Approach
The Long-Term Approach
Short-term strategies may feel productive, but they often leave you spinning your wheels.
Long-term strategies aren’t flashy, but they grow a business that’s steady, predictable, and free from chaos.
But what if you don’t have to choose between fast and slow? Is there a way to get the best of both worlds?
Embrace the “Earn While You Learn” Approach
Instead of waiting until everything is perfectly in place, you can begin building your strategy while putting yourself out there in a smart, strategic way. This third option allows you to develop a sustainable business foundation while earning as you go.
You might make a few mistakes along the way (that’s part of the process), but you’ll also start picking up clients and getting paid while you build.
This is how I built my business, and it’s the way I mentor my clients to do the same.
So first things first, ask yourself…
What Are You Sacrificing for “Fast”?
If you’ve ever thought, “This has to pay off fast,” or “I need three clients this month,” ask yourself:
Build it Sustainably, While Putting Yourself Out there NOW
Imagine this: the effort you put in today continues to pay off for months, even years. No scrambling. No roller coaster. Just steady, confident growth – and the stability you’ve been craving.
What if, as you build that long-term foundation, you’re also gaining clients and getting paid? With the “earn while you learn” approach, you don’t need to wait for perfection to see results. You can build with intention and sustainability, while making an impact today.
With this new perspective, what do you need to put in place to build a business that works for you now and in the long run?
You have your assignment. 😊
P.S. If this resonates but you’re not sure where to start, let’s talk. Schedule a call, and I’ll help you figure it out – no pressure, no strings.
Who knows? It might be the perfect time to explore a program where I personally guide you through the exact steps to implement the earn-while-you-learn approach – starting with a cohort designed to attract 10 new client leads in 90 days.
On January 26 this year, I sat down to my morning gratitude journal and did something different.
It was my Mom’s birthday, so instead of my usual list of things I’m grateful for, I wrote a short note about my gratitude for her. Then I snapped a picture and texted it to share how much I appreciate her.
Eight days later, she unexpectedly passed away.
To say it was a heartbreaking loss doesn’t begin to do my feelings any justice. At the same time, the joy of knowing that I’d left nothing unsaid is indescribably sweet.
Why do I share this story?
To encourage you to take gratitude one step further into appreciation.
I think of appreciation as gratitude with its work boots on. It’s moving gratitude from something you feel to something you move into the world.
Move from feeling gratitude for your health to going to the gym in appreciation of it.
Move from feeling gratitude for your friends to scheduling time with them in appreciation of them.
Move from feeling gratitude for your family to expressing it in appreciation of them.
I have tremendous gratitude for the Texas Coaches Coalition Conference, because I attended it less than two months after I lost my Mom. I was a wreck, but was treated with such love and acceptance and gentleness. Again, indescribably sweet.
TCC will always have my gratitude, so I sponsored the 2025 conference to show my appreciation.
I’d love to hear about your own sweet experiences with gratitude and appreciation below.